Directly above is a drone photo of an electric car driving through the autumn forest, driving away … [+]
Half a century ago, America’s big cities were choking on smog; the air quality there resembled the shocking conditions in Beijing or Delhi we see today. A 1973 photo of New York’s George Washington Bridge disappearing into smog showed the pollution that millions of Americans inhaled every day. But what has happened since those dark and foggy days is a remarkable American success story.
Since then, air pollution has dropped by 78%. Today’s vehicles are 98%-99% cleaner for common pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates than they were in 1975. These remarkable reductions have been linked to fewer respiratory illnesses, fewer visits to hospital and ultimately, by saving lives and reducing climate impacts. How the US went from gloomy, hazy days to dramatically cleaner air is a story of American technological innovation, well-designed policies, and steady progress over many years.
The latest evidence from the EPA’s 2024 Vehicle Trends Report is clear: this country can protect public health and save consumers at the pump through technological innovation, well-designed policy and steady progress over many years. Model year 2023 passenger cars now achieve an impressive average of 27 miles per gallon in fuel economy that has more than doubled since 1975, and new vehicles in 2023 emitted less than half the CO2 per mile of 1975 models.
Over the past several decades, the US auto industry has thrived under this regulatory framework. The EPA regulations were successful because they did not force auto companies to use any single technology. Instead, manufacturers can use any technological innovation that meets EPA standards.
Beginning in the 1970s, Detroit emerged as a technological leader in both transportation emissions standards and innovative clean car technology. And because the innovative technologies developed here—like the catalytic converter and electronic fuel injection systems—were universally adopted, the regulations eventually cleaned up emissions and saved lives around the world.
It was once again the American innovation credited with starting the world transition to electrification – Tesla. When it was launched in 2011, the Tesla S demonstrated that electric vehicles were not only “cool”, but also practical and great to drive. Last year, Tesla accounted for about half of electric vehicle sales in the US, and the Model Y was the best-selling EV worldwide.
However, China is leading the global electrification race today. It alone accounted for around 64% of global electric vehicle sales in 2024. Meanwhile, the EU is setting ambitious targets, including a mandate that all new vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035. In this context, the US must maintain its momentum in clean vehicle technology to be able to compete and win in global markets.
Policies over the past four years have provided a much-needed boost to American competition in the electric vehicle market. First, the EPA once again set forward-looking clean car standards. Second, federal legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Bill provided billions in public investment in a wide range of programs, including funding to develop, install, and maintain a nationwide network of EV charging stations; loans for the purchase of new and used electric vehicles; financing for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities; and financing to increase the reliability of the electricity grid.
Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US have gone from 6.7% in 2022 to 11.5% in 2023 and created more than 195,000 new jobs. Automotive OEMs and suppliers are investing heavily in the US in electric vehicle manufacturing as they see the future of global mobility as electric. Global automakers have pledged to invest up to $1.2 trillion in the industry’s transition, of which $312 billion is expected to come to the US. This change will give the US economy a competitive edge, especially as we aim to match the dominance of China and the EU in electric vehicle sales.
As the new Trump administration begins, there is concern that the clean car standards that have fueled so much success could face a rollback. But weakening environmental standards would not only hinder environmental progress, but also weaken the ability of American automakers to compete around the world — just as tougher emissions standards are becoming the global norm. And as the global auto market continues to go electric, U.S. manufacturers would find themselves losing market share to competitors in more stable regulatory environments.
For the US to compete in the fastest growing segments of the automotive market, we must maintain this momentum. Lowering emissions standards or reducing incentives for EVs would hinder domestic progress and give technological and economic leadership to global competitors.
Instead, as we move forward, the new administration would find remarkable success in maintaining and improving clean car standards — a strategy to block environmental progress, save hard-working consumers money at the pump, and boosted our economic leadership.
The new administration has a historic opportunity to capitalize on our momentum and leadership in the automation sector. The future of our economy, our health and our planet depends on their choices in the months and years ahead.
